GET A GRIP ON YOUR MIND FOR WHAT'S AHEAD!

"Whoever or whatever controls a person's mind ultimately has the power to dictate the affairs and outcome of that person's life. Thus, if a person allows his mind to be doused with panic or fear, he is putting fear in charge of his life. Because Paul wanted his readers to remain in peace regardless of the tumultuous events that transpired around them, he urged them not to allow fear from these shocking and distressful events to penetrate their minds, will, and emotions." - Rick Renner

2 Thessalonians 2:2 says - "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

Here Paul was exhorting the believers not to become agitated or alarmed at the approach of the Day of Judgment or the Second Coming of Jesus.

They were not to be quickly, hastily, or suddenly shaken in any way by the things which they saw or heard - moved as a wave of the sea or as a ship tossed by an agitated sea. They were not to allow the sequence of devastating occurrences appearing so dramatic to throw them into shock or alarm. They were to get a grip on their minds and refuse to become traumatized by the events that would occur in the world around them. They could not allow these to affect their will, emotions, or ability to think, reason, or decide.

"That ye be not soon...troubled..."

They were not to become disturbed, jumpy, or terrified. The nerve-racking events that were about to happen would become so severe at times and come without a pause that - unless checked - would cause them to be devoured with worry, anxiety, or fear.

Just to give you an idea of the actual message that Paul was trying to get across to the Thessalonians believers at this time, we are including a translation and paraphrase by Rick Renner.

This is how the original Greek would read -

"Some things will be happening right before His coming that could shake you up quite a bit. I'm referring to events that will be so dramatic that they could really leave your head spinning - occurrences of such a serious nature that many people will end up feeling alarmed, panicked, intimidated, and even unnerved! Naturally speaking, these events could nearly drive you over the brink emotionally, putting your nerves on edge and making you feel apprehensive and insecure about life. I wish I could tell you these incidents were going to be just a oneshot deal, but when they finally get rolling, they're going to keep coming and coming, one after another. That's why you have to determine not to be shaken or moved by anything you see or hear. You need to get a grip on your mind and refuse to allow yourselves to be traumatized by these events. If you let these things get to you, it won't be too long until you're a nervous wreck! So decide beforehand that you are not going to give in and allow 'fright' to worm its way into your mind and emotions until it runs your whole life."

"shake you up quite a bit"
"really leave your head spinning"
"many people will end up feeling alarmed, panicked, intimidated, and even unnerved"
"events could nearly drive you over the brink emotionally"
"putting your nerves on edge"
"making you feel apprehensive and insecure"
"incidents...keep coming and coming, one after another"

Since we are in the final days before the coming of the Lord, it behooves us to know what to do. This exhortation pertains especially to us as endtime believers.

What does the Apostle Paul say to do? What admonition does he offer here?

"determine not to be shaken or moved by anything you see or hear"
"get a grip on your mind"
"refuse to allow yourselves to be traumatized by these events"
"decide...that you are not going to...allow "fright" to worm its way into your mind and emotions"

But, how exactly do you get a grip on your mind?

Colossians 3:16 says - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..."

The only way to overcome fear during the upcoming events before the coming of the Lord is to stay saturated in the Word of God - to keep your mind focused on it and constantly in faith.

Here is what God's Word is saying to you today -

Genesis 15:1 says - "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

There are two fears that assail us all - the presence of evil and the absence of good. However, this promise covers them both. God as our "shield" offers protection from all evil. God - as the source of all good - as our "exceeding great reward" - offers us provision for all of our needs.

Psalm 112:7-8 says - "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid..."

The man who "fears the LORD, that delights greatly in His commandments" - the "upright" - the "righteous" - is not afraid of hearing bad news - hearing about reverses and losses - not alarmed when they do come. He is fully confident in his God. He has calmly entrusted all into His hands. He is fixed in a solid reliance upon Him. He is not afraid when assailed by his enemies. His confidence in God is firm and unmoved. His heart is supported by the strength of his Maker.

Matthew 10:28 says - "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him Which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

The believer is not to be alarmed at the prospect of temporal death.

Matthew 24:6 says - "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."

This is a warning against excitement over false reports - wars declared or threatened. The believer is not to be scared out of his wits by them. His heart is to be fixed - trusting in the Lord. In fact, it is against "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16) for him to have a troubled heart in troublesome times.

Luke 12:7 says - "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

The source of all human fears is the lack of faith in the goodness and providence of God. Understand this - an account is being kept of all your losses - symbolized by the hairs of your head. So careful is the Providence of God for all His people.

Luke 21:9 says - "But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by."

Do not be terrified when you hear of civil dissensions, seditions, tumults, internal troubles, or unsettlements.

John 14:1 and 27 says - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me...Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Don't allow you heart to shrink back in fear of approaching evil. You have a "Peace" that will always attend you. You have a Friend Who will never leave you.

Romans 8:15 says - "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

The spirit of bondage binds you. It is the spirit of a slave - of one who is constantly under fear and alarm. The spirit of adoption offers the feelings of affection, love, and confidence.

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

God offers you the power to encounter all of your foes and all of the danger that lies ahead...the power to bear up under your trials...and the power to triumph in persecution. Nothing makes the mind more bold and constant than love to God and the souls of men. It nerves the soul to great enterprises and inspires courage. A sober mind under the right influences sees things in their proper place - sees things in their just proportion and relation.

Hebrews 13:6 says - "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

What or who could you possibly fear when you have the assurance that the Lord Jesus is on your side?

1 John 4:18 says - "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

When your heart is filled with the love of God, you have no fear of anything. It delivers from all alarms. It gives bold confidence.

"Whoever or whatever controls a person's mind ultimately has the power to dictate the affairs and outcome of that person's life."

You have a choice! You can allow fear to grip your mind for what lies ahead. Or you can saturate your mind with God's Word - which in turn fills you with a lasting, bold, and sure confidence in your God.

God has called you to peace!

Therefore, choose His Word!

May God Bless His Word,
Connie

© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved

Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.

Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138